Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Holland - Amsterdam

From Antwerp I headed north into Holland and stayed a night in Gouda. The weather was still tanking down so didn't get any busking done, so the next day I headed to Amsterdam. I stayed 2 days in Amsterdam, and like alot of the big cities there isn't that many camp sites or camperstops close to the city centre. However Amsterdam had one little gem of a site that was about 7km from the centre so this was ideal. It was Camping Zeeburg, a good site with modern facilities and at 15euro a night very reasonable considering the good location close to the city. Amsterdam was a city I was looking forward to busk in but was a bit nervous and apprehensive to start with as I had heard alot of the buskers were really good, and also for the reason that alot of folk were floating around on space cakes and other "herbs". But on the first day it all went well, on the morning I had a walk around to take in the sights and saw a few buskers down Damrak and on Dam Plaza, and one of the best buskers I saw on the trip near the red light district, a Bob Marley lookalike with a great voice playing loads of different songs. Had a look in his guitar case and there must have been over 100 euros in coins! This inspired me along with the lively atmosphere, so I nipped into the Grasshopper then the Bulldog bar for a couple of beers of Dutch courage and set up near the bulldog, on one of the small bridges. There was loads of people walking past and I managed about an hour and all in all got a good response, I then moved to Rembrant square later on and did 30 mins there. A good day in all about 25 euros made, and learnt that to get the best response from people is to look happy, smile and have fun, and to play up beat songs.   

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Antwerp.

I decided to stay on a camper stop/ camping platz in Antwerp, just on the edge of the city. Generally these camperstops are great, there's loads of them in europe, and most are free. Its better if there's a few other tourer's there as it gives you a extra sense of security and someone to chat to. Met alot of people, most were on holiday, quite a few backpackers, and loads retired tourers who tour europe for alot of the year.

Cycled into Antwerp to have a look around and to locate any good busking locations. The city is a mix of history, with the old city centre with its cathedral and plaza's, along with industry and a large maritime influence. The Port is not far from the actual city centre, so its makes for an interesting mix, and has a very busy and lively feel. I saw a few buskers around the centre. One saxophonist near the riverside. Also a couple of old boys in the shopping district, one singing and playing piano, and another backing him up with the Harmonica and vocals. I headed to the central train station and set up there, as infront there's a large plaza (Astrid square) and it looked promising. It was quite busy, but the weather took a turn for the worse, and started drizzling. I managed about 30 mins and not much in the means of takings, with the weather and location being a bit open so people could easily avoid you. Taught me a good lesson though on choosing locations and obviously choosing the right weather conditions. See you next time, Jim